KotobaInteractive
Journal

The Kotoba Interactive journal.

Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.

Glossary
3 articles
KoreanArts6 min

Pansori: Korea's opera of a single breath

Discovering pansori, the Korean epic chant: the singer and his drum, han, the great tales, the UNESCO listing and its surprising revival.

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KoreanArts5 min

Samulnori: when four drums become a storm

History and meaning of samulnori, Korean percussion: four instruments, the peasant roots of pungmul, cosmic symbolism and the move from street to stage.

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KoreanPop-culture5 min

K-pop: the history and backstage of the Korean industry

The history of K-pop: from Seo Taiji to global idols, the agency system, the fandoms, Korean soft power and the hidden side of a finely tuned industry.

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